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Blankiet Estate: Beauty and elegance

Blankiet Estate is likely one of the most lovely estates in California wine country. With views that will steal your heart and make you feel as if you’ve been pulled back in time to the world where beauty and love are the keys, this estate has shown itself to be one of the most prolific vineyards in the area. We had the opportunity to try some of their wines and we were highly impressed with the dedication and taste of each one.

What types of wine does Blankiet produce?

Located above Mountville, the Mayacamas Mountains set the scene for this gorgeous vineyard and the varieties grown there truly exemplify the terrior upon which they are grown. The vineyard has many hidden treasures, including the hints of prohibition era vines that were grown along the hillsides, hiding them from the law. Such an interesting history simply helps to cement the feeling of the Estate itself, lending a touch of mystery to them as well.

Red wine is the staple of this absolutely gorgeous estate, which is evidenced by the luscious plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, which thrive in the microclimate of the vineyard. With the perfect morning sun and afternoon shade on the side of the mountain, the grapes thrive and carry less risk of disease, which ensures greater yields every year.

Natural practices make Blankiet a truly nature-friendly estate

While many vineyards are moving towards more traditional growing and pest control practices, Blankiet shows serious drive in this area. Their natural pest management initiatives are helping to shape the landscape of other vineyards, as they’ve instituted practices that promote local wildlife proliferating in the vineyards. Owl boxes, water fountains for foxes and bobcats, and tall perches for hawks help to keep down the pests in the vineyard. While these practices may be frowned upon by some who discourage the improvement of predatory populations, they help to keep the natural balance of the region and are gaining popularity rapidly.

In addition to their natural predator support for the pests, they’ve initiated several sustainable growing practices to help keep their vines as close to nature as possible. Ground cover is planted between rows to help curb soil erosion and return nutrients to the soil in between harvests. Cuttings are also used to create new growth, rather than allowing the fruit to suffer through seed support or offshoots that would otherwise take away from the flavor and tannins of the fruit itself. This helps to ensure that the harvest produces the best possible grapes for creating the luscious wines that this Estate offers.

Take a tour and let us know what you thought!

We strongly suggest that you take the time to visit this gorgeous Estate and try the lovely premium wines they offer. Tours are well worth the time and the wines are absolutely delicious. Remember to stop back in and let us know what you thought about your experience. We love to hear from our readers and your comment may just be the spark for our next feature! In the meantime, we’ll be right here in West Palm Beach, Florida, getting ready for our own opening later this year.